Bringing a US registered boat into USVI and customs tax

[pathlesschosen]

Hi,

I own a US registered boat but have not imported the boat in the US. Do I pay the import tax if I visit the US Virgin Islands? Noonsite says no, but I see other conflicting info.

[donradcliffe]

You'd better consult with an expert on this one. All I remember is that the USVI is a special customs zone. If you travel straight from the USVI to Puerto Rico or Florida, you are required to check in at your destination. Puerto Rico is not a special customs zone, so once you clear into the US in Puerto Rico, you don't have to clear again in Miami, for example.

I don't think you want to import into the VI, because they have a local excise tax in addition to US customs duties. I don't know what it is for boats, but its 4% for most things.

[pathlesschosen]

Thanks Donradcliffe. We are thinking of stopping only in the USVI, not continuing on to Puerto Rico or Florida.

[JArcherM]

Same situation here.... I have not found any info. My friend said he showed up in usvi with clearing out paperwork from another island and it was easy peasy, no testing etc, but his boat was US documented. I am heading there this week, hopefully somebody knows.

[pathlesschosen]

JArcherM. If you can let me know how your entry goes I very much appreciate it . My internet is not so good. Thanks for the response.

[Montanan]

The USVI is a separate customs territory from the USA but the Customs is administered by the US Customs Service, albeit with USVI laws, not US Federal customs tariffs.

I have read that there is no custom's duty on arrival [import] of private recreational vessels into the USVI.

The USVI has rules that are supportive of the visitation of cruisers.